Talking
With A Surgeon With Telescopes Implanted In EyesYou may remember our
earlier story on implantable miniature telescopes that helped treat
blindness. Well, I had the good fortune of doing a follow-up
interview with Dr. Kathryn Colby, Professor at Harvard Medical
School and surgeon at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She was
one of the primary surgeons who carried out the clinical trials with
the telescope (the product name is CentraSight), and is an advisor
to VisionCare, the company behind the technology. While the company
is still waiting on FDA approval, Dr. Colby described to me some of
the successes she’s already seen. CentraSight is used to combat
advanced macular degeneration (AMD). The condition causes a hole to
form in the center of your vision, making you effectively blind. The
implanted telescope expands the center field of vision so that the
image can be captured on the part of the macula that is still
healthy.Posted 10/5/09

Brits
Develop Seeing-Eye Tongue
An electric lollipop that allows the blind to 'see' using their
tongue has been developed by scientists. The extraordinary device
converts images captured by a tiny camera into a series of
electrical tingles, which can be felt on the tongue. Nerves then
send these messages to the brain, which turn the tingles back into
pictures. After only a day's practice, those using the machine
were able to make out shapes, movement and read signs. Some were
even able to interpret objects after just 15 minutes of training.
One blind man, who was testing the device, is reported to have cried
when he read his first letter. The BrainPort device, which is
expected to go on sale later this year, is unlikely to replace guide
dogs or walking sticks, but could dramatically improve the lives of
those with sight problems. Dr William Seiple, of vision healthcare
and research organisation Lighthouse International, which has been
testing the device, said four blind volunteers had quickly learned
how to find doorways and the buttons on a lift, pick out knives and
forks, and read letters and numbers.Posted 9/2/09

Learning
to See With Macular DegenerationATLANTA (Ivanhoe Newswire)
-- Thirteen-million Americans have AMD -- age related macular degeneration, the
leading cause of irreversible blindness and vision impairment in people over 50.
Now, researchers are studying a new kind of therapy for the condition. It
can’t reverse the damage, but it’s helping patients get the most out of the
vision they have left.
Posted 8/17/09

River
blindness 'can be beaten'
<- FEATURE!!! A study by the UN's health body has shown that the disease
onchocerciasis - also known as river blindness - could be wiped out using
antibiotics. It is endemic in many parts of Africa - mostly in poor, rural
communities. Scientists from the World Health Organization say their discoveries
are a milestone - with big implications for fighting river blindness. ...It is
caused by a nematode worm that can live inside the human body for years.
Posted 7/21/09

Blind
to be cured with stem cells
BRITISH scientists have developed the world’s first stem cell therapy to
cure the most common cause of blindness. Surgeons predict it will become a
routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven
years’ time.
Posted 6/20/06

A
Sight for Weak Eyes
Now,
a new option is available for when corneal transplants are just not
enough.
Posted 6/14/06

The
Buzz on Hearing
For everyone ready to hear some good news, check out the buzz coming
from Binghamton University in New York, where acoustic engineer, Ron
Miles, Ph.D., has been inspired by flies in his development of a new
directional hearing aid. It sounds like being a “fly on the
wall” just got a whole new meaning!Posted
5/10/07

More
Fungal Eye Infections
All infections were linked to contact lens
use, and some were linked to Bausch & Lomb's ReNu MoistureLoc
contact cleanser solution. The company permanently pulled the
product from the shelves.
Posted 6/14/06

Reducing
Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
New studies highlight risk factors for age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly. The
research reveals eating fish may decrease one's chances of developing AMD,
and smoking nearly doubles the risk.Posted 7/12/06

Statins
May Improve Eye Circulation
Statins may provide more benefits than
lowering cholesterol. A small new study reveals the drugs may also
improve circulation in the eye.
Posted 5/9/06

Stem
Cells Rescue VisionIn a study done on rats, special cells grown from stem
cells have been shown to protect eyesight and have the potential to help humans
with eye diseases.Posted 3/29/07